Does it feel like your electricity bill keeps going up, no matter how much you try to conserve power? Electricity rates keep climbing and a lot of people are considering using solar power. Even if you don’t get a lot of sunlight on your home, tax credits and rebates may still save you money. That’s why in today’s Service For Life!® Free consumer newsletter I’ll help you decide if using solar power is right for you.

You’ll also learn some simple tricks to solve common problems using the Internet, three fun outdoor games – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more.

P.S. When you notice people talking about real estate in the next few weeks, can you tell them about the free consumer information I provide?

They may be people thinking about buying an investment property. You’ll be their wise friend if you tell them about my Free Consumer Report: “8 Dumb Mistakes Even Smart Investors Make.” Don’t let them put in an offer before giving me a call for this report at 602-739-0095, or request a copy via email by clicking here.

Today's Brain Teaser . . .

A man who lives on the 10th floor of a building takes the elevator down every morning. When he returns from work in the evening on a rainy day, or if there are other people in the elevator he takes the elevator straight to his floor. Otherwise, he takes the elevator to the 7th floor and walks up three flights to his apartment. Why?

(see answer below)

“Can Solar Save Me Money?”

Buying solar panels to generate electricity from the sun used to be too expensive to save you money, but prices have dropped drastically. Plus, tax credits and rebates can save you hundreds of dollars per year off your electric bill, even if your home doesn’t get a lot of sunlight. Here’s how to find out if “going solar” could save you money:

STEP 1:Determine how much electricity you use monthly. Look at your current power bill and see how many kilowatts you use each month – the bill will show a number in kWh next to the price you paid. See how much you could save by going to www.FindSolar.com (then click on “Solar Calculator”). You’ll see the calculator on the right side and you can enter your zip code, power company, and the electricity percentage you want to offset. It’s set at 50% as a default, which means half of your electricity could come from solar power.

STEP 2:See what tax credits and rebates exist in your area for solar power systems. On the Solar Calculator, click on the “Incentives” tab to see what tax credits and rebates are offered. This should show the Investment Tax Credit of 30%, which is a federal credit for homes or businesses that convert to solar before the end of 2016. To find all potential renewable energy incentives, rebates, and credits you can search this website: www.dsireusa.org.

STEP 3:Calculate how long it would take to break even. Back on the Solar Calculator, there’s a tab labeled “Savings.” This tool estimates the date that your investment would pay for itself in electricity savings. Remember, you may need to add in rebates or incentives not calculated by this tool.

STEP 4:Does it make sense for you? According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, homes with solar power can sell for up to 17% more. You’ll have to see if the value it adds to your home is worth it, or if you’ll own your home long enough for solar to pay off.

Another option is to lease – where the solar panels are placed on your home for little or no up-front cost and you can save money immediately on your monthly bill. Keep in mind, partial systems like solar hot water heaters or attic fans also qualify for the federal tax credit.

Did you know there’s a free consumer report revealing ways to save time and money when buying a home? It’s called “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Finding and Buying Your Next Home,” and it’s great even if you’re not planning to buy soon. To request your copy, email me by clicking here.

Fix Common Problems Fast
Using The Internet

You may not need to call the plumber or the tech wizard after all! Using a search engine like Google or Bing can identify a quick video or tutorial to fix something yourself. Try these tips for common problems:

Clogged drains or other household annoyances. Find specific articles or videos on your favorite site by typing “problem:website” into the search bar. Example: “unclog drain:youtube.com.” If you have an idea what might be causing the problem, type the tool you will be using into the search as well for more specific instructions: “unclog drain with plunger:youtube.com.”

Printer or computer errors. If you see an error message, search for that exact message in quotes, along with the printer brand name. Example search phrase: “align print cartridges” Epson printer. Someone else probably had the same error message and shared how to fix it. If you don’t have an error message, try searching “fix Epson printer” to find the error and possible solutions.

Car sounds or minor problems. Do a search using the manufacturer’s name and the problem. For instance, if you’re looking for the dipstick in your Mercury you may not even realize there is no dipstick if you haven’t searched “Mountaineer transmission fluid” and found a page with that information. You can search “Nissan knocking sound” and find forums of other car owners whose cars may be making the same noise.

Missing parts to appliances or gadgets. If you need a replacement part, search for the model number and the name of the part like “MB1048 blender seal.” This way you can find suppliers, compare costs, and get the best price.

Make family reunions, picnics, and gatherings memorable with these fun games you’ve probably never heard of...

Quoits – Originating in ancient Greece, this game is similar to horseshoes but players throw circular rings instead, making it more difficult. The first player to reach 21 points wins. You can find sets at www.QuoitsDirect.com from $50 and up.

The Silly Game. This fast-paced game is fun for teams. Two large inflatable dice are rolled – one tells you something silly to do (like leapfrog or whistling) and the other gives the number of times to perform it, all while racing to the finish line. The Silly Game can be purchased for $19.95 at www.flaghouse.com.

Giant Snakes and Ladders Game. You may remember this childhood game, but it’s much more fun when you’re physically moving on the board. Players actually walk on the mat as their own game pieces. You can find this classic game for less than $60 at www.mastersgames.com.

Get their attention. Say their name, move closer to their “good” side, or touch their arm or shoulder. Keep eye contact so they can see your facial expressions and body language.

Speak clearly and naturally. Keep your hands away from your mouth so your mouth is visible and your sounds carry. Avoid exaggerating, and don’t shout or mumble because this distorts your words. Make sure to speak at a normal pace and pause in between sentences so they can process what you are saying.

Be visible. The person you’re speaking to may be accustomed to reading lips, so make sure you are in good lighting so they can see your face clearly.

Eliminate background noise. If you’re in a restaurant, ask to be seated away from the entrance door or large groups. If at home, step into a quieter room or away from other conversations.

I’d like to take a moment to personally acknowledge Mary Lange, a friend & client who has continually acknowledged me & my services pubilckly, on social media & to friends and family. I appreciate the support, friendship and referrals.

Trivia Challenge for the Month...

“Who Else Wants To Win Two Free Movie Tickets?”

I'm pleased to announce the lucky winner of last month's Trivia Question quiz. Macy Davis was the first person to correctly answer my quiz question. Congratulations & enjoy the movie!!

Who was the original bassist for the Beatles, sometimes called the “fifth Beatle”?

a) Keith Richards b) Ringo Starr c) Pete Best d) Stu Sutcliffe

The answer is d) Stu Sutcliffe. Though others have been called the fifth Beatle, Stu was the original bassist of the Beatles when there were still 5 members. He passed away in 1962 shortly after leaving the band. So, let's move on to this month's trivia question.

EMAIL ME BY:Clicking Here OR Call Me At 602-739-0095And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!

Brain Teaser Answer:

The man is too short to reach the button in the elevator for the 10th floor. If there are other people in the elevator, he asks them to push the button. If it’s raining, he can use his umbrella.

Thanks For Thinking of Me!

Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals...and spreading the word about my services.

Real Estate Q & A . . .

Q. What do I need to do to sell my home?

A. Here’s a list of important things you’ll need to do:

Set a realistic price. Homes that are over-priced can linger on the market for months, while homes that are priced correctly usually sell faster and for the most money possible. Look at recent listings in your area and their actual sales prices, and visit homes for sale in the neighborhood before deciding on a price.

Get your home ready to show. Clear out clutter, freshen paint, and clean up landscaping. Remember buyers notice everything!

Review the promotional plan of a Home Marketing Expert. An experienced REALTOR® can help you sell quickly by advertising your home in more ways than simply creating a MLS description. Plus, they can help you avoid costly mistakes on contracts and disclosures required by law to sell real estate.

Want to learn more? Ask for my Free Consumer Report called “7 Insider Tips to Net More Money Selling Your Own Home.” I’ll send a copy right over to you.

Do you have a real estate question you want answered? Feel free to call me at 602-739-0095 or email me by clicking here. Perhaps I’ll feature it in my next issue!

THANK YOU... for reading my Service For Life!® personal newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you. Help your friends get more out of life by forwarding this email to them...

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